During the hype of the recent power ball lottery, many flocked to snatch tickets in hopes of being that lucky winner. It is definitely worth the investment! I'm sure we all fell upon conversations about what we would do with that kind of money. Most of these conversations centered around the possibilities of living a better life, eliminating financial stress, helping others and maybe even treating ourselves to a few expensive toys here and there. These are of course great investments. After all, who wouldn't do these things? (I sure do!) As I hear these conversations and perceptions surrounding the lottery almost daily, I've realized that the idea of a lottery ticket is great for an in dept reflection on the human thought process (for me, anyway). Isn't it quite amazing how this one small piece of paper could seemingly hold all of that power and the very key to solving so many problems? Truly amazing indeed!

I've heard some people express feelings of all the things that they desire as if their desires and biggest dreams fall in the category of" wishful thinking", as if it were not possible. These are the same people who only deem their desires and dreams possible if and only if they possessed the winning lottery ticket, got a big break, or fairy tale opportunity. Are these things impossible? Of course not! However, there is something to question here: what happens when we find that we do not possess that winning ticket, and aren't given that big break or fairy tale opportunity? Do we disregard all that we desire and dream of? Or are we determined and aware of other ways to pursue them? Sadly, for most, the reaction would be to return to the "comfort" of life.

This is the lottery ticket mentality: If something extraordinary or out of the characteristics of the "norm" isn't handed to us via a slim to none chance, or an almost unrealistic gamble, then we forget about it, give up on it, and never consider it a possibility. Why is it that we often deem the basic, quick fix solutions the only way to provide control and comfort within our lives? Perhaps our convenience with so many "instant" and "high speed" things has molded our perception into this "lottery ticket mentality". Maybe we have forgotten that we too are equally, or even more capable of reaching our highest ideal of life through our own abilities, work ethic and power than any basic quick fix that is seemingly far out of reach.

We often wish to void the actual time, inner work and effort that has to occur on the road to reaching our highest potential due to our current perceptions of reality. Sure, a winning lottery ticket, winning a televised talent show or waking up and suddenly finding that you have a filthy rich long lost relative all sound nice and are all possible, however, maybe we should determine the probability of these events occurring in our lives. While it is indeed possible, perhaps we should instead decide on whether we'll wait on that to happen, or if we will continue forth with leaning on our own power and passion to bring fortune and prosperity into our lives...while a winning powerball ticket would just be the icing on the cake. How do you feel about the current lottery and society's reaction and mentality surrounding it? Talk to me in the comments below!